Roman Mosaics | Page 2

of the points touched upon have provoked endless disputations which are not likely soon to be settled. Indeed there is hardly any line of study one can take up in connection with Rome which does not bristle with controversies; and a feeling of perplexity and uncertainty continually haunts one in regard to most of the subjects. It is not only in the vague field of the early traditions of the city, and of the medieval traditions of the Church, that this feeling oppresses one; it exists everywhere, even in the more solid and assured world of Roman art, literature, and history. Where it is so difficult to arrive at settled convictions, I may be pardoned if I have expressed views that are open to reconsideration.
I am aware of the disadvantages connected with thus collecting together a number of separate papers, instead of writing a uniform treatise upon one continuous subject. The picture formed by their union must necessarily have much of the artificiality and clumsiness of the mosaic as compared with the oil or water-colour painting. But only in this form could I have brought together such a great variety of important things. And though I cannot hope that the inherent defect of the mosaic will be compensated by its permanence--for books of this kind do not last--yet it will surely serve some good purpose to have such a collocation of facts regarding a place whose interest is ever varying and never dying.
The personal element is almost entirely confined to the first chapter, which deals on that account with more familiar incidents than the others. Twelve years have elapsed since my memorable sojourn in Rome; and many changes have occurred in the Eternal City since then. I have had no opportunity to repeat my visit and to add to or correct my first impressions, desirable as it might be to have had such a revision for the sake of this book. I duly drank of the water of Trevi the night before I left; but the spell has been in abeyance all these years. I live, however, in the hope that it has not altogether lost its mystic power; and that some day, not too far off, I may be privileged to go over the old scenes with other and larger eyes than those with which I first reverently gazed upon them. It needs two visits at least to form any true conception of Rome: a first visit to acquire the personal interest in the city which will lead at home to the eager search for knowledge regarding it from every source; and then the second visit to bring the mind thus quickened and richly stored with information to bear with new comprehension and increased interest upon the study of its antiquities on the spot.
HUGH MACMILLAN.

CONTENTS

CHAPTER I
A WALK TO CHURCH IN ROME
A Walk to Church in Country--In the Town--Residence in Capo le Case--Church of San Guiseppe--Propaganda--Pillar of Immaculate Conception--Piazza di Spagna--Staircase--Models--Beggars--Church of Trinita dei Monti--Flowers--Via Babuino--Piazza del Popolo--Flaminian Obelisk--Pincian Hill--Porta del Popolo--Church of Santa Maria del Popolo--Monastery of St. Augustine--Presbyterian Church--Villa Borghese--Ponte Molle

CHAPTER II
THE APPIAN WAY
Formation of Appian Way--Tombs on Roman Roads--Loneliness of Country outside Rome--Porta Capena--Restoration of Appian Way--Grove and Fountain of Egeria--Baths of Caracalla--Church of Sts. Nereus and Achilles--Tomb of Scipios--Columbaria--Arch of Drusus--Gate of St. Sebastian--Almo--Tomb of Geta--Plants in Valley of Almo--Catacombs of St. Calixtus--Catacomb of Pretextatus--Catacomb of Sts. Nereus and Achilles--Church of St. Sebastian--Circus of Romulus--Tomb of C?cilia Metella--Sadness of Appian Way--Imagines Clipeat?--Profusion of Plant and Animal Life--Solitude--Villa of Seneca--Mounds of Horatii and Curiatii--Villa of Quintilii--Tomb of Atticus--Casale Rotondo--Frattocchie--Bovill?--Albano--St. Paul's Entrance into Rome by Appian Way

CHAPTER III
THE CUM?AN SIBYL
Promontory of Carmel--Westmost Point of Italy--Mode of reaching Cum?--Few Relics of Ancient City--Uncertainty about Sibyl's Cave--Loneliness of Site--Roman Legend of Sibylline Books--Mode of Keeping Them--Sortes Sibyllin?--Different Sibyls--Apocalyptic Literature--Existing Remains of Sibylline Books--Reverence paid to Sibyl by Christian Writers--Church of Ara Coeli--Roof of Sistine Chapel--Prospective Attitude of Sibyl--Retrospective Characteristic of Greek and Roman Religion--Connection between Hebrew and Pagan Prophecy--Pagan Oracles superseded by Living Oracles of the Gospel

CHAPTER IV
FOOTPRINTS IN ROME
Footprints of our Lord in Church of Domine quo Vadis--Slabs with Footprints in Kircherian Museum--St. Christina's Footprints at Bolsena--Significance of Footmarks--Votive Offerings--Footprint of Mahomet at Jerusalem--Footprint of Christ on Mount of Olives--Footprints of Abraham at Mecca--Drusic Footprints--Phrabat, or Sacred Foot of Buddha--Famous Footprint on Summit of Adam's Peak in Ceylon--Footprints at Gay��--Footprints of Vishnu--Jain Temples--Prehistoric Footprints--Tanist Stones--Dun Add in Argyleshire--Mary's Step in Wales--Footmarks in Ireland, Norway, Denmark, and Brittany--Classical Examples--Footprints in America and Africa--Connection with Primitive Worship

CHAPTER V
THE ROMAN FORUM
Geological History--Volcanic Origin--Early Legends--Cloaca Maxima--Work of Excavation--?rarium--Capitol--Temple of Concord--Temple of Jupiter--Arch of Septimius Severus--Milliarium Aureum--Mamertine Prison--Pillar of Phocas--Suovetaurilia--Curia Hostilia--Comitium--Curia of Diocletian--Basilica Julia--Vicus Tuscus--Temple of Castor and Pollux--Atrium Vest?--Temple of Vesta--Temple of Antoninus Pius and Faustina--Church of SS. Cosma e Damiano--Colosseum--Conflagration in Forum

CHAPTER VI
THE EGYPTIAN OBELISKS
Number of Obelisks in Rome--Sun Worship--Symbolism of Obelisk--Obelisk